• Edition Tirreno suggests four new color directions to inspire tanneries

Singapore - October 26, 2015 - BASF presents its new 'Inspirations for Leather' brochure outlining four leather trends for the Spring/Summer 2017 season, under the name 'Edition Tirreno'. The complete procedure for manufacturing each type of leather will be available upon request.

'Though consumer preferences and lifestyles are constantly changing spawning a desire for fresh color palettes in leather design, style and color coordination remains a consistent goal,' said Alex Wartini, BASF's Vice President for Leather Chemicals. 'Our Edition Tirreno Spring/Summer 2017 forecast validates some pre-conceived color choices, while alluding to new color inspiration and direction. All of the trends presented here are intended to inspire tanners. It is very versatile and can be adapted to designs for shoe upper leather, bag leather and garment leather.'

In general, the colors make up romantic, urban ranges and are, at the same time, evocative of tones inspired by nature. The season's four macro-trends are:

Eco-Balance: This trend encompasses a minimalist aesthetic which reinvents itself from the simple to the refined. It evokes the colors and textures of natural surfaces, creases and wrinkles in the leather resonant with textures from nature, such as waves, resins, marble and wood. The key colors are shades of violet and mauve, with hints of greys and mustard yellow.

Lyrical Nature: As its name suggests, this trend expresses a certain rhythmic earthiness, the desire to recreate a natural, rural world in our everyday urban environment. It draws on the desire to live in a healthier way. Think wallpaper-influenced floral prints, textured leather suggestive of the warm tones of the home. It features leathers with padded effects, with contrasts between matte and gloss, and textures reminiscent of origami as well as of embroidery and the handcrafted. The highlights of this range include its pastel colors, leathers imitating the full range of denim, and leather crafted with lasers.

Global Beats: Global Beats encompasses the fusion of different cultures and intercultural codes. The beauty of rustic materials with Caribbean, African and Asian influences interact with ecological, musical rhythms. It features leathers which evoke handicraft, wickerwork, patchwork and plaiting. Leathers with aged and matte effects, fringes, patterns and Caribbean touches. Colors that conjure up maritime tones, with a range of blues, hints of beige alternating with fresh strokes of intense pinks and greens.

Digital Vision: The final trend is the most reflective of the world of youth and reflects the significance of geometry and 3D design. It comprises the season's brightest colors and sporty look: neon tones, the interplay of light on materials with iridescent and changing effects along with the patent leathers are the outstanding features of this inspiration for fashion leather.

The trends featured act as a guide for customers to be able to manufacture leather that is at the forefront of fashion.

About BASF Leather Chemicals
BASF Leather Chemicals business is a leading global supplier of chemical solutions to the leather industry. Present along the entire industry value chain, it offers innovative and sustainable solutions for all wet-end to finishing processes in the leather industry. Headquartered in Singapore, the business operates sales, production plants and research & development globally. Further information on its products and services is available at www.basf.com/leather.

About BASF
At BASF, we create chemistry - and have been doing so for 150 years. Our portfolio ranges from chemicals, plastics, performance products and crop protection products to oil and gas. As the world's leading chemical company, we combine economic success with environmental protection and social responsibility. Through science and innovation, we enable our customers in nearly every industry to meet the current and future needs of society. Our products and solutions contribute to conserving resources, ensuring nutrition and improving quality of life. We have summed up this contribution in our corporate purpose: We create chemistry for a sustainable future. BASF had sales of over €74 billion in 2014 and around 113,000 employees as of the end of the year. BASF shares are traded on the stock exchanges in Frankfurt (BAS), London (BFA) and Zurich (AN). Further information on BASF is available on the Internet at www.basf.com.

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